Sponsoring a Partner From Belarus

Australians who want to sponsor partner from Belarus can do so through the partner visa program, provided the sponsor is eligible and the couple can prove a genuine and continuing relationship. In most cases a sponsor partner from Belarus matter uses the offshore Subclass 309 partner visa, which leads to the permanent Subclass 100 visa.

The legal test is the same for every nationality. What makes a sponsor partner from Belarus application different is the practical side. Australia has no embassy in Belarus. Documents are usually issued in Russian or Belarusian. The Belarus police certificate has its own process, and it is harder to arrange when the partner has moved to a third country. There is no Australian biometrics collection centre in Belarus. This guide works through each of those steps in order, so that a sponsor knows what to collect, where it comes from and how long to allow.

For the wider framework, the complete guide to partner visas in Australia explains every subclass and stage. The commercial page on partner visa lawyers explains how My Migration Lawyers runs these matters from start to finish.

Can an Australian sponsor partner from Belarus?

Yes. An Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen who is 18 or over can sponsor partner from Belarus, whether the couple are married, in a de facto relationship or engaged to marry.

Nationality does not change the criteria. The Department of Home Affairs asks the same questions of every couple. Is the sponsor eligible? Is the relationship genuine and continuing? Do the couple have a mutual commitment to a shared life as spouses or de facto partners to the exclusion of all others? Do they live together, or not live separately and apart on a permanent basis? The page on what a genuine and continuing relationship means sets out how the Department approaches that question.

The partner must also meet the health and character requirements. Those requirements are where a sponsor partner from Belarus file needs the most planning, because the documents come from Belarusian authorities and, sometimes, from a third country.

Every sponsor partner from Belarus application also needs the sponsor to be approved. That is a separate step with its own criteria. The guide to who can sponsor a partner visa is a short starting point, and the detailed article on partner visa sponsor eligibility covers the status, age and past sponsorship rules.

Which visa is usual when you sponsor partner from Belarus?

The usual visa when you sponsor partner from Belarus is the Subclass 309 Partner (Provisional) visa, followed by the permanent Subclass 100 visa. It is applied for online while the partner is outside Australia.

Home Affairs states that the applicant must be outside Australia when applying for the Subclass 309 visa, and may be in or outside Australia when the temporary visa is decided. The visa application charge for the combined Subclass 309 and Subclass 100 application is AUD 11,710 from 1 July 2026. One charge covers both stages. The article on partner visa costs explains what is and is not included.

Other pathways and variations a sponsor partner from Belarus couple might consider are:

• Subclass 820 and Subclass 801 (onshore). This is lodged while the partner is in Australia. A Belarusian partner would need to be in Australia on a visa that allows a further application, which usually means a Visitor (Subclass 600) visa without condition 8503. The Subclass 820 partner visa page explains the onshore pathway.
• Subclass 300 (prospective marriage). This suits a couple who are engaged and intend to marry in Australia. The Subclass 300 prospective marriage visa page explains the criteria.
• Subclass 309 from a third country. Where the partner is living in a third country, the Subclass 309 is still lodged online from that country. The location of the partner does not change the subclass.

The comparison of onshore and offshore partner visas and the FAQ on Subclass 820 versus Subclass 309 explain the trade-offs in more detail.

Why the Subclass 309 is usually the practical choice

The Subclass 309 is usually the practical choice for a sponsor partner from Belarus couple because it does not depend on the partner first obtaining a visitor visa to Australia.

Belarusian citizens are not on the eligible passport lists for the eVisitor (Subclass 651) or the Electronic Travel Authority (Subclass 601). A Belarusian partner who wants to visit Australia would apply for a Visitor (Subclass 600) visa. Whether that visa is granted, and whether it carries condition 8503 "No Further Stay", are separate questions. Condition 8503 would generally prevent an onshore partner visa application unless it is waived. The article on condition 8503 and partner visas and the guide to requesting an 8503 waiver explain that issue.

A visitor visa is granted for a visit, not to lodge a partner visa. A couple who plan from the start to use a visitor visa as a stepping stone take on a genuine visit risk. The page on applying for a partner visa while on a tourist visa explains what the Department looks at.

Can the partner visit Australia while the Subclass 309 is processed?

Yes, a partner can apply for a visitor visa while a Subclass 309 application is being processed, but the visitor visa is assessed on its own merits and is not guaranteed.

The FAQ on visiting Australia while a Subclass 309 is processing explains the practical points. The partner must also be outside Australia when the Subclass 309 is granted. The FAQ on being outside Australia when the Subclass 309 is granted explains that requirement.

Which Australian mission covers Belarus, and does it handle the visa?

The Australian Embassy in Russia, in Moscow, is responsible for Belarus. Australia does not have an embassy in Belarus. The embassy does not decide partner visas. Partner visas are lodged online and processed by the Department of Home Affairs.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade states that the Australian Embassy in Russia is responsible for Belarus, and the Australian Ambassador to the Russian Federation is also accredited to Belarus. That is a diplomatic and consular arrangement. It is not a visa office.

Home Affairs states that applicants do not need to attend an Australian embassy, high commission or consulate to apply for a visa. Most visas, including partner visas, are lodged online through ImmiAccount, and the Department can process applications anywhere in its global network. The guide to creating an ImmiAccount and the FAQ on using ImmiAccount for a partner visa explain the online system.

What the travel advice means for sponsor visits

The Australian Government's Smartraveller advice for Belarus was "Do not travel" when this article was checked. Smartraveller also states that consular assistance in Belarus is severely limited.

That advice is relevant to the evidence plan, not to the legal test. A sponsor partner from Belarus couple who meet in a third country, rather than in Belarus, can still show a genuine relationship through those visits. The Department looks at the quality of the relationship, not the country where the couple spend time together. Sponsors should read the current Smartraveller advice before booking any travel. The article on partner visa travel evidence explains how visits are documented.

Who can be the sponsor, and what must the sponsor provide?

The sponsor must be an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen, must usually be 18 or over, and must have the sponsorship approved under Division 1.4B of the Migration Regulations 1994.

The sponsorship is a separate application. It is lodged online and linked to the partner's visa application. The article on partner visa sponsorship lodgement explains how the two fit together. The sponsor also gives an undertaking about accommodation and financial assistance, which the guide to partner visa sponsor obligations explains.

A sponsor partner from Belarus application can be refused at the sponsor stage for reasons that have nothing to do with Belarus. The main ones are:

• Past sponsorships. Regulation 1.20J limits a person to two approved partner sponsorships, and generally prevents a new sponsorship within five years of the first sponsored application. A sponsor who was themselves sponsored as a partner generally cannot sponsor within five years of their own partner visa application. A waiver is possible in compelling circumstances. The page on partner visa sponsorship limitations explains these bars.
• Criminal history. Regulation 1.20KC deals with relevant offences, such as violence, and regulation 1.20KD defines a significant criminal record. The sponsor may be asked for police checks. The guide to the partner visa sponsor police check explains which checks are needed.
• Children. Regulation 1.20KB applies where an applicant is under 18 and deals with registrable child-related offences.

The sponsor must also consent to the disclosure of any relevant conviction to the partner. The article on sponsor documents for a partner visa lists what a sponsor usually provides, including proof of citizenship or residence.

Sponsors with links to Belarus

Many sponsors who sponsor partner from Belarus have their own connection to the region. Some were born there and later became Australian citizens. Some hold two citizenships.

A sponsor who was born in Belarus and now holds Australian citizenship can sponsor partner from Belarus in exactly the same way as any other citizen. The sponsor's place of birth is not a criterion. What matters is the sponsor's current status, approval of the sponsorship and the genuineness of the relationship.

A dual citizen sponsor is still an Australian citizen for sponsorship purposes. The article on dual citizen partner visa sponsors explains the practical issues, such as which passport is used for travel evidence. A sponsor who has lived in Belarus or elsewhere overseas for long periods should also read the guide to sponsors living overseas, because a sponsor who has spent 12 months or more in another country may be asked for that country's police certificate.

Does the sponsor also need a Belarus police certificate?

Sometimes. Under regulation 1.20KC the Department may ask the sponsor for Australian and overseas police checks. A sponsor who has spent a total of 12 months or more in Belarus in the last 10 years since turning 16 may be asked for a Belarus certificate as well as an Australian Federal Police check.

That surprises many Australians who sponsor partner from Belarus after living there for work or family reasons. The sponsor follows the same Belarus process as the partner, usually through a Belarusian mission because the sponsor is in Australia. The article on sponsor police checks that were not provided explains why this step should not be left until the Department asks.

What should a sponsor partner from Belarus couple do first?

The first step is to confirm the sponsor is eligible and the subclass is right. The second is to start the documents that take longest to obtain, which in a sponsor partner from Belarus matter are usually the police certificates and the translations.

A practical order of work looks like this:

• Check the sponsor. Confirm citizenship or permanent residence, past sponsorships and any criminal history. The guide to partner visa sponsor requirements lists each requirement.
• Choose the subclass. Decide between the Subclass 309, Subclass 820 and Subclass 300, based on where the partner is and whether the couple are married, de facto or engaged. The guide to which partner visa pathway fits helps with that choice.
• List every country. Write down every country where the partner, and the sponsor, have spent 12 months or more in the last 10 years. That list sets the police certificate plan.
• Collect civil documents. Passport, birth certificate, marriage or divorce records and any name change records, each with a complete English translation.
• Assemble relationship evidence. Travel, communication, finances, social recognition and future plans, organised across the whole relationship.
• Lodge, then keep updating. After lodgement, add new evidence in ImmiAccount as the relationship continues. The article on evidence after lodgement explains why.

Following that order avoids the most common delay in a sponsor partner from Belarus application, which is waiting for a document from Belarus after the application is already lodged.

How does the Belarus police certificate work for a sponsor partner from Belarus application?

The Belarus police certificate is a certificate of criminal record issued by Belarusian internal affairs authorities. Home Affairs lists the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Minsk, and the Main Internal Affairs Directorate of the Minsk City Executive Committee, as the contact points for a Belarus police check.

Every partner visa applicant aged 16 or over must meet the character requirement. In a sponsor partner from Belarus matter, that usually means a police certificate from Belarus and from every other country where the partner has spent a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years since turning 16. The guide to overseas police certificates for partner visas explains the general rule. The FAQ on police checks for partner visas gives a short answer.

Getting the certificate while the partner is in Belarus

A partner who lives in Belarus usually applies to the Belarusian internal affairs authorities in person, with a passport and an application. Home Affairs lists the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Minsk, for this purpose.

The certificate is usually issued in Russian or Belarusian. It must then be translated into English. The translation rules are explained later in this guide. The certificate should show the partner's full name and date of birth exactly as they appear in the passport. A mismatch in transliteration between the Cyrillic and Latin spelling of a name is one of the most common avoidable problems in a sponsor partner from Belarus file.

Getting the certificate when the partner lives in a third country

A partner who lives outside Belarus can often apply through a Belarusian diplomatic mission, but the procedure is set by each mission and differs between countries.

For example, the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for its embassy in the United States describes an in-person application at the embassy with a passport, an application and a consent form, and states that the certificate is issued in English on the embassy's letterhead. Other missions may follow a different process. A partner living in a third country should check the website of the Belarusian mission in that country before starting.

That partner will usually also need a police certificate from the third country itself, if the partner has spent 12 months or more there in the last 10 years. A Belarusian partner who has lived for several years in Poland, Lithuania or Georgia, for example, may need two certificates, each with its own process and translation. The FAQ on what to do if a police certificate cannot be obtained explains the options where a certificate is genuinely unavailable.

When to obtain the certificate

Timing matters for a sponsor partner from Belarus application. Home Affairs advises applicants to check visa processing times before obtaining police certificates and health examinations, and may ask for them later.

Police certificates are generally treated as valid for 12 months for partner visa purposes. A certificate obtained too early may expire before the decision and need to be replaced. The FAQ on how long police certificates and health checks remain valid and the article on expired police checks explain how this works in practice.

What happens if the certificate shows a conviction

A conviction does not automatically end a sponsor partner from Belarus application, but it must be disclosed and assessed against the character requirement in section 501 of the Migration Act 1958.

Home Affairs requires applicants to declare all criminal conduct they have been convicted of, or charged with and awaiting legal action, in any country. The Department may also ask the partner to complete Form 80. The guides on partner visa character requirements, overseas convictions and Form 80 for partner visas explain what is assessed.

Do Russian or Belarusian documents need to be translated?

Yes. Every document that is not in English must be provided with an English translation, together with the original document.

Home Affairs states that translators in Australia must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI). Translators outside Australia do not have to be accredited. On each translation, they must include their full name, address and telephone number, and their qualifications and experience in the language being translated. Those details must be in English.

For a sponsor partner from Belarus application, documents commonly arrive in Russian, Belarusian or both. Birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce records, police certificates and name change records all need translation. The guide to partner visa evidence translation explains which documents to translate in full.

Messages and relationship evidence in Russian

Relationship evidence also needs attention. Many couples who sponsor partner from Belarus communicate partly in Russian, Belarusian or a mix of languages. The Department does not need every message translated. It needs a representative and readable sample.

The FAQ on translating messages for a partner visa explains how to select and translate message evidence. The FAQ on couples who speak different languages deals with relationships where the couple use a shared second language.

Names, transliteration and consistency

Belarusian names can be transliterated into the Latin alphabet in more than one way. One document may use one spelling and another document a different spelling of the same name.

Before lodging a sponsor partner from Belarus application, the spelling in the passport should be treated as the reference point. Every translation should use that spelling, and any differences in older documents should be explained. The FAQ on different names and dates across documents explains how the Department treats inconsistencies. Home Affairs states that documents do not need to be certified for this application, but they must be scanned in colour and be clear enough to read. The FAQ on certified copies for a partner visa explains this point.

Biometrics and health examinations for a partner in Belarus

A partner in Belarus may be asked to provide biometrics and must complete health examinations when asked. Both steps can involve travel.

Biometrics

Home Affairs will tell the applicant whether they must attend an Australian Biometrics Collection Centre (ABCC) in person or can use the Australian Immi App. Belarus is not on the Home Affairs list of countries with an ABCC. Home Affairs states that applicants may need to travel to another country to attend an ABCC, and that the centres are run by VFS Global and charge a service fee.

For a sponsor partner from Belarus couple, that means the partner should be ready to travel for an appointment after receiving the biometrics letter, unless the letter says the Immi App can be used. Travel plans should take the current travel situation in the region into account. The article on partner visa biometrics and the FAQ on biometrics for a partner visa explain the process.

Health examinations

Health examinations for a sponsor partner from Belarus application must be done by a Home Affairs approved panel physician or clinic. Home Affairs lists IOM Belarus in Minsk as a panel clinic for medical and radiology examinations.

A partner living in a third country uses an approved panel physician in that country. The guides on the partner visa medical examination and partner visa health requirements explain what is tested and when a health waiver may be available.

Which identity and civil documents are needed?

A sponsor partner from Belarus application needs identity documents for the partner, civil status documents showing the partner is free to be in the relationship, and evidence of the relationship itself.

The partner's documents usually include:

• Passport. A current passport, with the personal details page. The FAQ on an expired passport during a partner visa explains what to do if it expires during processing.
• Birth certificate. With an English translation. The FAQ on what to do if a birth or marriage certificate cannot be obtained covers lost or unavailable records.
• Evidence of any previous marriage ending. A divorce record or death certificate, translated. The guide to partner visas after divorce explains why this matters.
• Name change evidence. For example, where a surname changed on marriage. The FAQ on name changes after marriage explains how to show the link.

Children included in the application need their own identity documents, and sometimes the consent of the other parent. The guide to adding children to a partner visa and the article on the other parent's consent explain those requirements. The partner visa document checklist brings all of this together.

Uploading Belarusian documents to ImmiAccount

Each document should be uploaded as one clear colour file, with the translation either attached to the original or uploaded next to it under the same document type. Home Affairs states that a multi-page document should be saved as one file.

For a sponsor partner from Belarus file, that usually means pairing every Russian or Belarusian original with its English translation, so the case officer never has to search for the matching version. Good organisation does not change the legal test, but it does reduce the chance of a request for information. The guides on ImmiAccount uploads for a partner visa and organising partner visa evidence explain a workable structure.

What if the Department asks for more information?

If the Department needs more information, it usually sends a request under section 56 of the Migration Act 1958 with a deadline. Where it has adverse information, it may send a letter under section 57 inviting comment.

In a sponsor partner from Belarus matter, requests most often concern a police certificate, a missing translation or an unexplained name difference. A request is not a refusal. It is an opportunity to fix the gap. The response should answer exactly what was asked, attach the document or explanation, and be lodged before the deadline. The guides on section 56 requests and section 57 adverse information letters explain each type of letter, and the FAQ on a missed section 56 deadline explains what can still be done.

Where a police certificate from Belarus cannot be obtained within the deadline, the response should show what has been done to obtain it, such as the application receipt from the Belarusian authority or mission, and ask for more time. Evidence that the request is in progress is usually better than silence.

Marriage, de facto or engagement: which basis fits a sponsor partner from Belarus couple?

A sponsor partner from Belarus couple can apply as spouses if they are validly married, as de facto partners if they meet the de facto rules, or under the Subclass 300 if they are engaged and intend to marry in Australia.

Married couples

A marriage that took place in Belarus or in a third country is generally recognised in Australia if it was valid where it took place and is not a marriage Australian law refuses to recognise, such as one where a party was already married. The guide to whether an overseas marriage is recognised in Australia and the FAQ on overseas marriage recognition for partner visas explain the test.

The marriage certificate must be translated. The FAQ on translating a marriage certificate and the article on the partner visa marriage certificate explain what the Department expects. A certificate alone does not prove a genuine relationship. The FAQ on whether a marriage certificate is enough explains why.

De facto couples

De facto partners usually need to have been in a de facto relationship for at least 12 months immediately before applying. That rule catches many people who sponsor partner from Belarus after meeting online, because Home Affairs states that time spent dating or in an online relationship might not count.

The 12-month requirement does not apply if the relationship is registered with an Australian State or Territory authority, or if compelling and compassionate circumstances exist. A registration made in another country does not satisfy that exception, so a sponsor partner from Belarus couple who registered a relationship abroad still need to meet the 12-month rule or another exception. The FAQ on applying before 12 months as de facto partners and the FAQ on registering a relationship when the partner is overseas explain those options.

Engaged couples

A couple who intend to marry in Australia may apply for the Subclass 300. The partner must be outside Australia when applying, the couple must have met in person, and the marriage must take place within the visa period. The FAQ on the prospective marriage visa and the comparison of the fiancé visa and the partner visa help a couple choose.

What relationship evidence matters most for a sponsor partner from Belarus?

The Department looks at four areas: the financial aspects of the relationship, the nature of the household, the social aspects, and the nature of the couple's commitment to each other. Evidence should cover all four.

Many couples who sponsor partner from Belarus spend long periods apart, because one partner lives in Australia and the other in Belarus or a third country. That is common and is not a reason to refuse. The question is whether the couple can show a real shared life despite the distance. The guide to long-distance relationship partner visas explains how the Department approaches separation.

Useful evidence in a sponsor partner from Belarus matter usually includes:

• Travel and time together. Boarding passes, accommodation bookings and passport stamps for each visit, including visits in third countries.
• Communication. A representative sample of messages, call logs and video call records across the whole relationship. The FAQ on messages, emails and call records explains what to include.
• Financial links. Money transfers, shared expenses during visits and any joint accounts. The FAQ on money transfers as relationship evidence explains how transfers are viewed.
• Social recognition. Form 888 statements from Australian citizens or permanent residents who know the couple, and other statements from friends and family overseas. The article on Form 888 for a partner visa explains who can sign.
• Future plans. Plans for where the couple will live in Australia. The article on partner visa future plans explains why this matters.

Each partner also writes a relationship statement. The guide to relationship statements for a partner visa explains what the Department expects. The two statements should be consistent with each other and with the documents.

What can go wrong, and how does a refusal get reviewed?

A sponsor partner from Belarus application can be refused for the same reasons as any partner visa, most often because the Department is not satisfied the relationship is genuine and continuing, or because a document problem is not resolved.

The guide to why partner visas get refused sets out the common reasons. The commercial page on partner visa refusals explains how the firm handles a refusal.

A Subclass 309 refusal can be reviewed by the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). For a Subclass 309 refusal, the visa applicant applies for review in their own name under regulation 4.02(5)(raa) of the Migration Regulations 1994, not the Australian sponsor. For a Subclass 300 refusal, the Australian sponsor applies. The deadline is 28 days after the applicant is notified of the decision. The ART fee is AUD 3,727 from 1 July 2026, and half is refunded if the Tribunal sets aside, varies or remits the decision. The FAQ on who applies for review of an offshore refusal and the article on the partner visa appeal deadline explain the steps.

Tribunal decisions that show how these issues are decided

Published Tribunal decisions show how evidence and character issues are approached. Each case turns on its own facts. None of the following decisions is connected with Belarus, and each is described only by the issues recorded for it.

• Tran (Migration) [2025] ARTA 2243. A Subclass 309 refusal involving the genuine and continuing relationship, an updated relationship statement, shared family commitments and family recognition of the relationship. The matter was remitted, which means it was sent back to the Department for reconsideration.
• Yao (Migration) [2025] ARTA 1966. A Subclass 309 refusal involving the genuine and continuing relationship, where a party had previously married and divorced in the home country, and where there was a return to the home country, illness and support from the applicant. The matter was remitted to the Department.
• Williams (Migration) [2024] AATA 1082. A Subclass 309 refusal involving criminal history statements by appropriate authorities, where national and city statements were provided to the Tribunal and showed no disclosable history. The matter was remitted to the Department.

The Williams decision is a reminder that police certificate problems are often about the form of the document and which authority issued it. That is directly relevant to a sponsor partner from Belarus file, where a certificate may come from a national authority, a city authority or a diplomatic mission. The guide to partner visa ART evidence explains how new evidence is presented on review.

Common mistakes in a sponsor partner from Belarus application

The most common mistakes made by people who sponsor partner from Belarus are avoidable. They usually come from treating the application as a form rather than as evidence.

• Inconsistent spelling of names. Cyrillic to Latin transliteration differs between documents. Each difference should be explained.
• Missing third country police certificates. A partner who has lived elsewhere for 12 months or more in the last 10 years often needs more than one certificate.
• Untranslated or partly translated documents. Translations must be complete and include the translator's details.
• Lodging onshore when the visa does not allow it. A visitor visa with condition 8503 generally prevents an onshore application. The article on Subclass 820 and condition 8503 explains the problem.
• Sponsor issues discovered late. Past sponsorships and sponsor criminal history should be checked before lodgement.

The article on partner visa application mistakes lists other common errors. Where a mistake has already happened, the FAQ on correcting a mistake in a partner visa application explains the next steps.

Can children be included when you sponsor partner from Belarus?

Yes. A partner's dependent children can usually be included in the same Subclass 309 application, provided they meet the definition of a dependent child and the health and character requirements.

Children aged 16 or over need their own police certificates. Every child included needs a birth certificate with an English translation. Where a child is moving to Australia without the other parent, the other parent's consent, or a court order, is usually needed. That is often the slowest document in a sponsor partner from Belarus application that includes children, because the other parent may live in Belarus or elsewhere and may need to sign before a notary or official. The FAQ on including children in a partner visa and the article on partner visas without the other parent's consent explain the options.

Children who are not coming to Australia may still need to be declared and, in some cases, examined. The FAQ on health checks for non-migrating children explains when.

What happens after the Subclass 309 is granted?

After the Subclass 309 is granted, the partner can travel to Australia and live, work and study here while the permanent Subclass 100 is assessed. The sponsor partner from Belarus process does not end at that point.

The permanent stage is generally assessed about two years after the combined application was lodged. The couple provide updated evidence that the relationship continues. The article on the partner visa two-stage process explains how the second stage works, and the article on arriving in Australia on a partner visa covers the practical steps after arrival, including the first entry date set on the visa.

How My Migration Lawyers helps Australians who sponsor partner from Belarus

My Migration Lawyers regularly acts for Australian sponsors whose partners are overseas, including partners from Eastern Europe, and is well placed to manage the practical difficulties of a sponsor partner from Belarus application. The firm deals with complex partner visa cases, and it is capable of handling matters where documents, police certificates and travel arrangements are spread across more than one country.

On a sponsor partner from Belarus matter, the firm's work usually includes:

• Choosing the subclass. Confirming whether the Subclass 309, Subclass 820 or Subclass 300 fits the couple's situation, and checking any visitor visa conditions before an onshore option is considered.
• Checking the sponsor first. Reviewing the sponsor's status, past sponsorships and police check position under Division 1.4B before anything is lodged.
• Mapping the police certificates. Identifying every country where the partner has spent 12 months or more in the last 10 years, and planning the Belarus certificate and any third country certificate, including through a Belarusian mission where the partner lives abroad.
• Managing translations and names. Checking that every Russian or Belarusian document is fully translated, that the translator's details are included, and that names match the passport, with any differences explained.
• Planning biometrics and health checks. Preparing the couple for biometrics travel and health examinations so requests can be met on time.
• Presenting the relationship evidence. Organising the couple's own account and documents across the four areas the Department assesses. The couple review and correct their statements before anything is lodged.
• Responding and reviewing. Answering requests for information, and acting on Tribunal review if the application is refused.

The firm's Principal Lawyer, Weiwei Zhang, oversees partner visa matters. Sponsors in different cities can work with the firm online, including through the partner visa lawyers in Sydney, partner visa lawyers in Melbourne and partner visa lawyers in Brisbane pages. The about page explains how My Migration Lawyers works, and the FAQ on help with an offshore Subclass 309 and Subclass 100 partner visa explains the firm's offshore service.

Australians who want to sponsor partner from Belarus can start with a consultation to review the sponsor's position, the partner's documents and the right subclass. Book a consultation with My Migration Lawyers, or call 1300 040 300.